Things to do in  Yorkshire

This cavernous medieval cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Focal points include the 16th-century stained glass Rose Window, which was painstakingly pieced back together following a fire in 1984, and the soaring central tower, the top of which offers panoramic views of York.

Clifford’s Tower, a semi-ruined 13th-century remnant of York Castle, is also one of the few Norman relics in a city dominated by Viking influence. Nowadays, Clifford’s Tower is one of the most popular and emblematic sights in York, and the panoramic views from the tower’s ramparts make it an excellent starting point for first-time visitors to historic York.

Having never been widened to accommodate cars, The Shambles has retained its picturesque medieval form. Timber-framed Tudor buildings host tea rooms, taverns, and souvenir shops, and project out at the upper levels—a medieval building technique used to create extra living space.

Aided by spooky special effects and eerie sets, the costumed actors at York Dungeon recount terrifying tales of torture, terror, and murder. Expect laughs, scares, and shrieks as you learn about Viking invasions, witch hunts, and lawbreakers from centuries past.

Set on the site of a major Viking settlement, Jorvik Viking Centre whisks visitors back in time to ninth-century England. Glass floors reveal remnants of the original village uncovered by archaeologists in the 1970s, while a train ride takes passengers past detailed diorama-style displays that recreate typical scenes from Viking life—complete with animatronic figures, a soundtrack, and more.

Once built to protect the medieval city of York, the well-preserved York City Walls have since become an emblematic landmark of the region and an easy-to-access point of introduction for historical York. While only three main sections of these 13th- and 14th-century walls are still connected, following the footpaths and scrambling up the ramparts remains a popular pastime.

The ancestral seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is a prominent example of 17th-century architecture, and one of Britain’s most popular stately homes. It draws visitors from all over the world who come to tour the building and see the famous gardens designed by “Capability” Brown.

Obscured behind the shell of a modern facade until the 1980s, this medieval-era townhouse—once home to the Lord Mayor of York—has been restored to appear as it would have in its late-15th-century heyday. Inside the timber-framed structure, exhibits explore medieval themes and life in Tudor-era England.

At more than 650 years old, this medieval-era timber-framed guildhall is one of the oldest buildings of its type in England. Built by a fraternity—the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York—whose members built capital through overseas business dealings, the building encompasses an oak-beamed hall, chapel, and an undercroft.

The North York Moors have provided creative inspiration for a number of celebrated writers, including Bram Stoker, Sylvia Plath, and the Brontë sisters. Situated on England’s northeastern coast, the stunning landscape is wild and rugged with an untamed beauty that draws visitors from all over the world.

The Peak District became Britain’s first national park in 1951 and remains one of its most popular outdoor destinations. From fertile farmland and stately homes to towering peaks and underground caves, there’s much to explore across the 143,700-hectare park, including the beginning of Britain’s best-known trail, the Pennine Way.

Step inside the only bullet train outside of Japan, peer into royal carriages, and watch model trains chug around a small-scale landscape at the National Railway Museum. With over one million pieces of railway memorabilia—including steam locomotives and vintage posters—the museum provides an immersive insight into the British rail industry.

Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life.

Explore one of the original National Trust properties at York’s Treasurer’s House, an opulent and eclectic 2-story mansion set amid landscaped gardens that has a fascinating history spanning 2,000 years. Highlights include the period rooms replete with historical artifacts, including a Queen Anne bedspread and a blown-glass chandelier, as well as the allegedly haunted cellars.

With its stone station building, crow-stepped gables, and steam trains puffing by, this quaint little station in the rural North Yorkshire Moors is a relic of a bygone era. The station’s good looks have not gone unnoticed, with it having been chosen as the set for Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.